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May The Force Be With You

I am a believer in Willie Mosconi's edict, there are two types of shots in billiards, soft and softer, but there are times when you need "The Force".

Specifically, the Force Follow Draw can be used to apply the benefits of a draw stroke. But this one will "dig into" the object ball more and as a result will move the cue ball out and away from the object ball before it starts to draw back.

There are many uses for such a shot. The Obvious is to gain specific position, but a second use is to gain the spin-around type shot where you are shooting straight in on an object ball directly in front of a hole. This shot can easily result in a scratch as the cue ball follows to object ball right into the hole.

You achieve a Force Follow using the same stroke you would use for a draw. The difference is, your target on the object ball is a tip ABOVE the equator of the cue ball, not a cue tip BELOW.

Execution is exactly the same as a draw stroke by snapping the cue through the cue ball withy a quick flick of the wrist.

The object is to produce a nice crisp snap which will take the cue through the spot occupied by the cue ball faster than the cue ball leaves that spot.

A Plain Vanilla Draw

Self discipline is a necessity for all draw shots. Make sure you keep your bridge hand on the table a couple moments after the cue impacts the cue ball. Very often, we try to get the bridge hand out of the path of the returning cue ball and in our hast to do this we fail to commit to a crisp stroke and as a result, end up with a stop shot.

Remember also, you want to set up your bridge so you can achieve a low hit on the cue ball. You do this by using an open bridge and extend the bridge hand fingers out towards the cue ball.

Here's an interesting "twist" with an old friend, the "ghost ball". Visualize a ball two inches beyond the object ball and imagine your cue tip going through the object ball to this imaginary ball. This will help you deliver a nice reverse spin.

Get your draw shot attempt out of your mind. You need to be completely relaxed. If you are thinking about your draw, you will have problems.

You need to loosen up on all shots, but particularly the draw shot. You must turn the brain off when you are shooting. Your efforts should be automatic.

“Use The Force Luke, Use The Force!”

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